interview by JANA LETONJA

Alix Earle is one of the leading social media personalities in the US. She is also the creator and host of the widely popular ‘Hot Mess’ podcast. The podcast has consistently charted in the Top 10 since the release of its first episode, and recently launched its second season. On 23rd January, Alix launched her skinny jean collection with FRAME, emphasising her campaign to bring back the skinny jean.

Your journey to becoming a leading social media personality has been remarkable. What inspired you to start creating content, and how did you navigate your rapid rise to fame?

I’ve always been drawn to the creative process, and finding a community that shared that same passion was a turning point for me. During my senior year of college, I immersed myself in learning everything I could about the industry and the work that happens behind the scenes. I’m incredibly fortunate to have built an amazing team that’s been essential in helping me navigate this exciting and unpredictable journey.

Your content reminds followers not to draw comparisons online. Why is this message particularly important today, and how do you personally manage social media’s pressures?

When I first started out, I wasn’t being totally real, I used filters on every video and leaned hard into a polished version of myself. No one online knew I was dealing with cystic acne on my face and neck, but eventually, I hit a point where I couldn’t keep hiding it, nor did I want to keep it from my audience. I decided to open up about it, and that one choice changed everything. It was the moment I stopped just posting and started connecting, building a community that valued honesty and support. These days, that authenticity is at the heart of everything I create, whether I’m talking about skin, personal struggles, relationships, self-growth, or navigating family dynamics.

How do you strike a balance between creating engaging, relatable content and staying authentic to yourself?

I treat my platforms like my online diary and I honestly don't really plan out anything I post. Where I go, my audience goes. The one throughline throughout all my content and I think my secret weapon is storytelling.

top POSTER GIRL
skirt DOLCE & GABBANA
shoes PLEASURE

Your podcast ‘Hot Mess’ has been a huge success since its launch. How has collaborating with your sister Ashtin Earle influenced the dynamic and content of ‘Hot Mess’?

Bringing my sister onto ‘Hot Mess’ was the best decision, even though we now have another topic to fight over. I’m a little more sporadic when it comes to when I sit down and record and she likes to stick to a schedule, so she told me she was going to quit if I didn’t stick to our set times. All that being said, it’s not only grown our audience, but also made the podcast so much more relatable.

Ashtin and I are total opposites. For example, I’ll say that it’s better to cut them off and not look back, and Ashtin will say she thinks it’s better to stay quiet and keep the peace. That contrast brings such a fun dynamic to the conversations we have. I think it’s really important for people to hear different perspectives, and working with her has been so rewarding, especially as she tackles her last year of college. It has only brought us closer as sisters and I’m so grateful to be able to live out my dreams with her by my side.

The podcast addresses serious topics like mental health and body image. How do you ensure these topics are approached with sensitivity while still being relatable?

One of my very first podcast episodes was about body image and my struggles with disordered eating. I was so nervous to put it out there. I wanted to say the right things, avoid saying the wrong ones, and just hoped it might resonate with someone. The response to episodes like that has been incredible and reminds me why being vulnerable is worth it. Even though I still catch myself worrying about messing up sometimes, knowing that I’m helping others feel less alone in conversations we don’t always have in real life, makes it all so rewarding.

You’ve been featured in prestigious lists by Forbes, Rolling Stone, and The Hollywood Reporter. What do these accolades mean to you, and how have they influenced your career?

Like any competitive person, I’m always striving to do better and achieve more. But sometimes, in the rush to focus on what’s next, I find it easy to lose sight of how far I’ve already come. The recognition and accolades mean so much to me, though they still come with a strong dose of imposter syndrome. I spent years working hard as a small creator and was genuinely happy operating on that level, so to reach a point where I’m recognised or even labeled as a social media personality, honestly feels surreal.

dress HERVE LEGER
tights and shoes DOLCE & GABBANA

full look VEX LATEX
shoes PLEASURES

As someone who connects deeply with Gen Z and have even had brands call your authentic influence ‘The Alix Earle Effect’, what advice would you give to brands looking to build trust and engagement with this demographic?

Gen Z is smart and knows when they’re being sold a load of BS. The more that brands can be honest and speak the “Gen Z language”, the better. I applaud the brands that really lean into the humour, trends, and discourse on social media. It’s exciting to see them take a step out of the box beyond the same old marketing we have seen in the past. Especially with TikTok, everything is an ad nowadays, so the more entertaining something is to watch, the better it will perform.

You’ve highlighted the importance of giving back on a local level. Can you share more about the initiatives or causes that are close to your heart?

Giving back has always been a core value for me. One of the first things I did during my senior year at the University of Miami was create a scholarship to support other students. One initiative I’m especially proud of is partnering with the Iglesias Foundation to create Meals in Heels, a fun and meaningful event where friends, family, and members of the local Miami community come together to prepare and package meals for those in need. Every time we expand this event, it gets better and bigger. I’m so excited to see what comes of it and where we can take it in the future.

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trousers vintage
underwear POSTER GIRL
shoes PLEASURE

Your influence continues to transcend trends, the latest being to ‘bring back the skinny jean’ with your sold-out FRAME exclusive co-branded collaboration. How did this partnership come to be?

I met Eric in December 2023 to talk about the possibility of shooting a campaign for Frame, and I was so excited to pitch the idea of bringing back the skinny jean, something I’ve always considered a wardrobe essential. Fast forward, and we launched a five-month Fall/Winter campaign, complete with co-branded skinny jeans. It felt like a bold move, but I’m so grateful they trusted me. An astrologist told me controversy is a secret power of mine, and I figured bringing back the skinny jean was a perfect way to test that.

What’s next for you? Are there any new ventures or projects you’re particularly excited about?

This year is going to be full of new launches and different ventures for me, and that’s all I can really say. I have had to keep quiet for the past year on everything I’ve been working on, but I can promise one thing, you definitely won’t be disappointed or left bored if you follow along with my 2025 journey.

jeans ‘THE ALIX’ SKINNY JEAN IN BLACK COATED, FRAME

TEAM CREDITS:

talent ALIX EARLE
photography DANA TRIPPE
styling and creative production DANYUL BROWN At The Only Agency
makeup LILLY KEYS at A-Frame Agency using Violette FR
hair DAVONTAE WASHINGTON at Opus Beauty
fashion assistant and bts photography NIK VAN DALEN
photography assistants ANA FLETCHER and SOPHIA ROSE CARRASCO
hair assistant ESKEE LEE
location DUST STUDIOS
editor TIMOTEJ LETONJA
interview JANA LETONJA
cover design ARTHUR ROELOFFZEN

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